Catherine and Darius Brubeck’s 1983 move to South Africa launched them on a journey that helped transform jazz education. Blending biography with storytelling, the pair recount their time at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where they built a pioneering academic program in jazz music and managed and organized bands, concerts, and tours around the world.
The Brubecks and the musicians faced innumerable obstacles, from the intensification of apartheid and a lack of resources to the hardscrabble lives that forced even the most talented artists to the margins. Building a program grounded in multi-culturalism, Catherine and Darius encouraged black and white musicians to explore and expand the landscape of South African jazz together Their story details the sometimes wily, sometimes hilarious problem-solving necessary to move the institution forward while offering insightful portraits of South African jazz players at work, on stage, and providing a soundtrack to the freedom struggle and its aftermath.
Frank and richly detailed, Playing the Changes provides insiders’ accounts of how jazz intertwined with struggle and both expressed and resisted the bitter unfairness of apartheid-era South Africa.
The thrumming of a heartbeat announces the return of the Cavalera brothers to their most volatile recording, the carnage-driven, adrenaline-fueled onslaught that is only known as CHAOS A.D.. Just over thirty years ago Max and Iggor Cavalera took the world by storm when they released their fifth studio album upon the masses, a record that has stood the test of time through the decades.
Though the years have passed, CHAOS A.D. is as timeless and relevant as the day it was released. While wars are waged around the globe, violence is witnessed in the streets, hate and disparity are rampant in our everyday lives, albums like CHAOS A.D. are what bind us together, being a prospect of light in an otherwise bleak and corrupt world.
This September, Cavalera and crew will be embarking across the U.S. on their RETURN TO CHAOS tour, alongside other remarkable acts such as Slayer, Lamb Of God, Power Trip, Sanguisugabogg and many more purveyors of extreme metal. With the obvious success of their recent re-recordings, it is guaranteed that the Cavalera duo will be bringing their top-notch energy and proficiency to reviving CHAOS A.D. on stage. Songs like Refuse/Resist, Territory, Slave New World and Propaganda have been heralded as anthems for the underdogs, and to witness these tracks brought back to life is nothing short of a blessing. CHAOS A.D. is still regarded as one of the most influential recordings of the 90’s, garnering them Gold Record status and a benchmark in the halls of heavy metal history.
Max shouts out a rallying cry, “Tanks on the streets, confronting police, bleeding the plebs!” And Iggor thunders through the drum intro to Territory like an Apache Helicopter. Silence means death! Stand on your feet! Cavalera will be bombarding the states, decimating every stage they encounter as if they were a warzone.
09/18/2025 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life 09/20/2025 – Hershey, PA @ Hershey Park Stadium 09/21/2025 – Liverpool, NY @ Sharkey’s Event Center 09/23/2025 – Norwalk, CT @ District Music Hall 09/25/2025 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s Entertainment Center 09/26/2025 – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom 09/27/2025 – Hammond, IN @ Horseshoe 09/28/2025 – St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag 10/01/2025 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre 10/02/2025 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex 10/05/2025 – Sacramento, CA @ House of Blues 10/07/2025 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues 10/10/2025 – Las Vegas, NH @ House of Blues 10/11/2025 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee 10/12/2025 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater 10/16/2025 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall 10/17/2025 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live 10/18/2025 – Dallas, TX @ Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ
Heavy-hitting metal act 40 Cycle Hum released their new single, “RISE UP,” via TLG | ZOID and distributed by Virgin Music Group. The single made an immediate impact, landing in the Top 5 Most Added on the Metal Contraband chart and breaking into the Top 5 Heavy Adds in its first week of release. The song lands at #4 on Metal Contraband and #2 on the NACC Heavy Chart.
Drummer Francis Ruiz states, “‘Rise Up’ is a song about showing up every day and facing whatever life throws at you and conquering. It is a very empowering topic.” Brandon Mitchell, the band’s vocalist adds, “To quote a lyric from ‘Rise Up’ ‘We’ve waited long enough, gotta get it out, let it out’.”
In a world overwhelmed with musical diversity, ideology and artistic bias, it can sometimes be a daunting task seeking out those talents truly worthy of praise. Let’s face it – everyone is aware that it should all be about the music, but in a society that thrives on social media influencers, overblown pop star frenzies dictating everything and force feeding social & corporate money making gimmicks, the music has regrettably taken a back seat. Still there are those few uncompromising musicians scattered among us that prefer to rely on good old-fashioned brow-beating hard work rather than succumb to the prefabricated mainstream success that is so prevalent in today’s modern musical arena.
Enter 40 Cycle Hum, whose genuine approach to writing and performing is sure to cause fans and industry types everywhere to stand up and take notice. This latest powerhouse offering boasts a massive punch and will no doubt have even the most docile fans throwing their fists to the air. Produced and engineered by Stevo Bruno (Five Finger Death Punch, Motley Crue, Prong), and mastered by the late great George Marino of Sterling Sound. The album features 12 scorching tracks including “Seven Stitches”, “Rise Up”, and more. In addition the CD is packaged with original artwork by famed horror director Clive Barker (Hellraiser, Lords of Illusion, Gods & Monsters). 40 CYCLE HUM is the long awaited triumphant follow-up to the band’s 2006 debut, Secret Skin!
The band’s inception featured Singer/Frontman/Guitarist Brandon Mitchell, Guitarist Rocky George (of Suicidal Tendencies/ Infections Grooves), Bassist Mike Duda (of W.A.S.P., and Drummer Francis Ruiz (Buckcherry) who were involved in much of shaping the band’s direction and songwriting approach. The industry would then call on Rocky George and Mike Duda to fulfill their responsibilities in their other respective bands. Mike was called back to W.A.S.P., and Rocky was called to FISHBONE.
It was at that time guitarist Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), and Bassist Kenny Lefort joined the fold and began forging a new path ahead. As fate would dictate, the musical climate changed among other developments, and eventually resulted in the band members pursuing other musical endeavors.
While the guys have individually and collectively paid their dues, and have been a part of many musical collaborations and bands, the fact that what they created together is “worthy”. Worthy of being heard, shared, loved by true music fans, but also worthy of being performed and recognized along side of their established musical cohorts & peers. With the band members having remained in touch with each other and remaining active in the music world, the universe has now set the stage to allow 40 Cycle Hum to share the great music they have created!
“Music is a tough business; the cards are stacked against you before you even get started. But if you’re in it for the right reasons it becomes its own reward. We all have to pay the bills, but at the end of the day, nothing beats doing something you really love.”
Originality is a scarce thing in music anymore, although once in a while there are definitely worthwhile exceptions. 40 Cycle Hum are no different than other musicians in that the are a product of their influences, but by combining their influences, they make music that remains fresh and relevant to today’s listeners.
Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen have shared a visualizer video for their brand new fourth album IV, as the supercharged, dirty blues-influenced rockers gear up for summer tour dates launching this Wednesday, June 11.
IV is a raw, unapologetic, Blues-Rock Master course from the group-DOUGLAS, drummer Tommy Smallcomb and bassist Matt Gabriel. It is a powerhouse album drenched in whiskey-soaked riffs and soaring Rock n’ Roll vocals that once again display DOUGLAS’ meteoric rise as one of the heaviest hitters in the Blues-Rock world. The album was recorded at Eight Days a Week Studios in Northumberland, PA by Paul Smith (Badlees), who engineered and co-produced the album with DOUGLAS. It was mixed and mastered by Nick Coyle (Lifer, Drama Club, Death Valley Dreams).
IV is already generating critical praise: ROCK AND BLUES MUSE: “From the opening ear-splitting riffs, and Douglas’s Steve Marriott (Humble Pie)-like vocals, the trio’s runaway freight train approach is on full display…[it’s] an album filled with blistering guitar riffs and solos…cutting loose, Douglas’s guitar and this trio along with Smith, eviscerate boundaries with fine-tuned skill. Brace yourself. There is no sugar coating and you won’t find the slimmest taste of honey on the album. This is blues-rock, 21st Century style, an exhilarating ride, delivered by one of today’s fastest rising power trios, Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen.” (5-29-25)
TINNITIST: “From the southern rock stomp of ‘Long Gone,’ the sleazy, ’70s growl of ‘Dangerous Game,’ the Tom Petty-inspired ‘Drunk And Alone’ and the David Gilmour-meets-Jimmy Page fretwork of ‘Missin’ You,’ the nine tracks on IV bleed with passion and pain while burning with a fire of Douglas’s signature guitar sound and The Electric Gentlemen’s thunderous supporting rhythm. IV is a testament to the unrelenting spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.” (6-1-25)
Prior to the album’s release, the group-known for a heavy dose of swagger, groove, and rock ‘n’ roll attitude both on stage and in the studio-released three singles/videos: the current “Drunk and Alone,” “Dangerous Game,” and “Damage.” For the bracing “Drunk and Alone,” the ferocious singer, songwriter, and guitarist and his band teamed up with his friend, director Nyke Van Wyk, for the gritty, moving clip which DOUGLAS reveals is autobiographical. “This one is extremely personal for me. It’s one of those songs where I was reluctant to even put it on the record due to the vulnerability of it all.” DUSTIN reveals more about “Drunk and Alone” at antiMusic.
IV marks the follow-up album to DDEG’s 2023 release, BLACK LEATHER BLUES. They’ve been nominated and won numerous awards including Steamtown Music Awards (Scranton, PA), Central Penn-sylvania Music Awards, Independent Blues Music Awards, and Blues Blast Music Awards.
The IV track list is: 1. Long Gone 2. Damage 3. Dangerous Game 4. Drunk and Alone 5. Satisfied 6. Please and Thank You 7. Every Dog Has His Day 8. Give It To Me Straight 9. Missin’ You
DUSTIN DOUGLAS & THE ELECTRIC GENTLEMEN’s tour dates are:
Jun 11 Wed – Henderson, KY – W.C. Handy Music Festival 2025 Jun 27 Fri – Plains, PA – River Street Jazz Cafe – Album Release Event Jun 28 Sat – Middletown, PA – The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey Jul 11 Fri – Scranton, PA – The Ritz Theater Jul 12 Sat – Wilkes-barre, PA – Breakers – Mohegan Sun Casino Aug 6 Wed – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Aug 10 Sun – Hawley, PA – Ledges Hotel Aug 21 Thu – Wilkes-barre, PA – The Hive Taphouse – Mohegan Sun Casino Sep 12 Fri – Evansville, IN – Mojo’s Boneyard Sep 13 Sat – Elkhart, IN – Island Of Blues Music Festival
Pinkshift are thrilled to announce their new album Earthkeeper. The record arrives August 29 via Hopeless Records. The band has also shared the video for the new single “Anita Ride.” The song follows the release of “Evil Eye,” which Stereogum lauded as “fitting for these f***ed up times.” Metal Injection also celebrated the track for taking “a hard left – towards raunchy, angry metal.”
The song opens with a thesis statement: ‘I carried all this weight on my own, for so long, it became my own…It wasn’t my burden to bear I know, It wasn’t my burden to bear alone, and I carried it all the way home.'”
“It’s essentially a release, a reminder, a cathartic moment to give yourself permission to share the weight that you feel in the moments you feel heavy with grief with others and give yourself credit for everything you have done,” states singer Ashrita Kumar. “I felt like this song was a moment where we all very obviously, as a band, shed our old skin. This is the first track you hear [guitarist] Paul [Vallejo] and [drummer] Myron [Houngbedji] singing prominently on a track – we are all intentionally united. I found my roar. What made me more powerful in this moment was leaning into losing control, leaning into trusting my community, and leaning into the uncertainty and chaos that are the transitions of life.”
Kumar continues, “The second verse was inspired by Kendrick [Lamar] for me. I wanted to channel the way that he talks to his higher self in his greatest moment of self-doubt, because self-doubt is the enemy of creativity. The feeling that I have less is the enemy of my prosperity.’
“I hear your voice” -become divine, if you never want, you’ll always have.”
With 2025 well underway and the band about to go rock the European festival circuit, California metal maestros Steel Panther are announcing the last round of US dates on their Feel The Steel 15TH Anniversary World Tour.
Tickets are on sale to the public on Friday, June 6. Additional Information on all tickets for the upcoming tour dates can be found at steelpanther.com/pages/tour.
The European headline leg kicks off on June 16 in Glasgow, UK followed by the sold-out evening in London, UK on June 17. The leg continues with more sell outs including July 5 in Memmingen, DE before concluding on July 6 in Geiselwind, Germany. The band will also be performing at the following European festivals in 2025: Download Fest (United Kingdon), Lisää Löylyä Festival (Finland), Tons Of Rock Fest (Norway), and Rockmaraton (Hungary). Additional Information on all ticket and VIP packages including meet and greets, exclusive 15th Anniversary merch items, early entry and more for all tour dates can be found here.
Feel The Steel 15TH Anniversary World Tour Dates: Sat Aug 16 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues Wed Aug 20 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues Thu Aug 21 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Fri Aug 22 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues Thu Aug 28 – Plano, TX – The Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall Sat Aug 30 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort Spa – Studio A Fri Sep 12 – Charles Town, WV – Hollywood Casino Sat Sep 13 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live Thu Sep 18 – Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Casino Fri Sep 19 – Wichita, KS – TempleLive Sat Sep 20 – Kansas City, MO – Ameristar Casino Hotel
Previously Announced Steel Panther Tour Dates: Fri Jun 13 – Vaasa, Finland – Festival Sun Jun 15 – Donington Park, UK – Download Fest Mon Jun 16 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow Tue Jun 17 – London, UK – Electric Ballroom (Sold Out) Wed Jun 18 – Dublin, IE – Vicar Street (Low Ticket Warning) Fri Jun 20 – Vienna, AT – Donauinselfest Sat Jun 21 – Leipzig, DE – Hellraiser Mon Jun 23 – Arnhem, NL – Musis Arnhem Tue Jun 24 – Koln, DE – Essigfabrik Wed Jun 25 – Dusseldorf, DE – Zakk Fri Jun 27 – Oslo, Norway – Tons Of Rock Fest Sun Jun 29 – Braunschweig, DE – Applaus Garten Mon Jun 30 – Frankfurt Am Main, DE – Batschkapp Tue Jul 1 – Bochum, DE – Matrix Thu Jul 3 – Dunaujvaros, HU – Rockmaraton Fesztival Fri Jul 4 – Regensburg, DE – Eventhall Airport (Low Ticket Warning) Sat Jul 5 – Memmingen, DE – Kaminwerk (Sold Out) Sun Jul 6 – Geiselwind, DE – Music Hall
Curtis Harding is proof of the strange magic that happens when musical prowess meets unbridled imagination. Today the Atlanta-based singer/songwriter announces his fourth full-length album, a true-to-life reflection he soon expanded into an elaborate concept album about a pilot lost in space. Coming out September 5, Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt merges the lavish scope of a space opera with the pure feeling of classic soul—ultimately bringing an even greater potency to his wildly eclectic sound.
“Because I’m away from home so much of the time, a lot of these songs came from feeling adrift and wanting to get back to the ones I love,” he says. “I started envisioning this character who takes a journey and gets lost in space, then ends up traveling through different galaxies and dimensions as he’s trying to find his way back home.”
Alongside today’s announcement, he has shared a gorgeously joyful track called “True Love Can’t Be Blind” which speaks to love that endures across a great distance, telegraphing a euphoric infatuation in its radiant piano riffs and rapturous harmonies. Listen to it below.
Naming Ridley Scott among his favorite sci-fi auteurs, Harding notes that the extravagant world-building of Departures & Arrivals inspired many of his production choices, including the abundance of symphonic string arrangements supplied by Steve Hackman (a composer who’s worked with such diverse artists as Doja Cat and Andrew Bird). “I’ve always used strings on my records but never to this extent, and everything Steve created just took me to another place,” he points out.
Self-produced at Electric Deluxe Recorders (an Austin studio owned by Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas), Departures & Arrivals serves as the follow-up to If Words Were Flowers—a 2021 release hailed by the likes of UPROXX, who praised Harding for “making some of the best modern soul music out right now.” For Harding, the decision to handle production on his own stemmed from a deep desire to pursue his creative ideals without compromise or restraint. Mostly recorded live with a full band, Departures & Arrivals encompasses everything from moody space-funk to lush baroque-pop to otherworldly psych-rock—all while endlessly spotlighting Harding’s rich and captivating vocals and incandescent guitar work.
“I produced my first album so this felt like a return, although this time I was more confident and capable of sonically going where I wanted to go,” says Harding. “I really love the process of building worlds in the studio, doing what I want in the moment and experimenting with new sounds instead of doing the same thing over and over.”
Departures & Arrivals ushers in a bold new era for Harding while staying true to the profound sense of purpose that’s always fueled his songwriting. “Sometimes when you’re feeling lost, hearing from someone else who’s felt the same way can let you know you’re not alone—that’s really the whole sentiment of the album,” says Harding. “I hope these songs help people to recognize that feeling lost is all part of the journey, and that the journey is what’s most important anyway. And once you realize that, you’re on the right path. You’re already on your way home.”
“I’ve never done a deluxe for an album but there were a few songs that I wanted to try to document in a more stripped-down fashion, more like how I’ve been doing them on tour,” Christian Lee Hutson said of creating ‘Paradise Pop. 10 (Deluxe)’, out today. “The opening track of ‘Paradise Pop. 10’, “Tiger”, initially had completely different lyrics which Maya Hawke and I wrote and edited a bit here so that we could include a version of it. We decided to call that “Tiger 2” even though it is technically a prequel.”
Featuring only Hutson on acoustic guitar and cello and violinist Odessa Jorgensen, listen to the original album and new deluxe tracks HERE.
A captivating, breezy charm permeates every track of ‘Paradise Pop. 10’, with each song hooked around Hutson’s warm, earthy vocals and dexterous storytelling. Whether fragile finger-picking folk or rousing, beachy power pop, these songs are informed by a sense of creeping melancholy about the place Hutson has spent most of his life; in the lead up to the writing and recording of the album the sprawling, inscrutable city of Los Angeles had become haunted in his mind. A move to New York City required him to refresh his memory banks. “I wanted to make an eyes up record, a looking forward record,” he explained.
‘Paradise Pop. 10’ is co-produced with three of Hutson’s longtime collaborators: 4x GRAMMY winner Phoebe Bridgers, GRAMMY-nominated songwriter & producer Marshall Vore and GRAMMY-nominated engineer & multi-instrumentalist Joseph Lorge. The album also features guest vocals from Bridgers, Katy Kirby, and Maya Hawke – another frequent collaborator whose universally lauded new album credits Hutson as producer and co-writer.
Currently on tour in Europe, Hutson will perform at Primavera Sound and Best Kept Secret and co-headlining Levon Helms Studios in Woodstock with Cassandra Jenkins. All upcoming dates are listed below.
TOUR DATES June 7 – Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound 2025 June 10 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala El Sol June 12 – Porto, Portugal @ Parque Da Cidade Do Porto June 14 – Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands @ Best Kept Secret 2025 July 17 – Amagansett, NY – Stephen Talkhouse July 18 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom July 19 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios w/ Cassandra Jenkins Aug 14 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse w/ Ben Gibbard
Multi-Platinum country star Thomas Rhett lit up the stage this past weekend, bringing his “electric” (Page Six) live show to Rogers, AR; Southaven, MS; and St. Louis, MO for the opening weekend of his BETTER IN BOOTS TOUR, fueled by Marathon. Known for putting on a show that is “impossible not to have fun and dance the night away at” (Country Central), fans were treated to an unforgettable night of music from Thomas Rhett, with direct support from Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows.
The dynamic setlist was packed with hits from his acclaimed seventh studio album ABOUT A WOMAN, including his Top 15 current single “After All the Bars Are Closed” as well as “Somethin’ Bout A Woman” and the “feel-good” (Tennessean) “Gone Country.” His lively performance kept the audience on their feet with chart-topping sing-a-longs to “Make Me Wanna” and “Look What God Gave Her” as well as sentimental favorites like “Remember You Young” and a special reimagined, extended version of the vocally-driven “Marry Me.” He also brought a couple of new songs to the road, performing a show-stopping rendition of “NOTHING ELSE,” his new collaboration with Forrest Frank. To close out the evening, he invited tour opener Tucker Wetmore back to the stage to perform their “catchy, summer-ready anthem” (People) “Small Town Girls” from the recently-released ABOUT A WOMAN (FROM A SMALL TOWN).
Fans can catch Thomas Rhett live on the BETTER IN BOOTS Tour which continues to heat up this summer with packed stadiums and amphitheaters, including a highly anticipated stop at the iconic Fenway Park, featuring performances by The Castellows, Tucker Wetmore and Teddy Swims.
Pairing his laid-back perspective with a vocal drenched in casual country soul, Thomas Rhett recently kicked off a summer of music with a three-song addition to ABOUT A WOMAN featuring “Small Town Girls” featuring tourmate Tucker Wetmore, the rootsy R&B groove “I’m That Guy” and the steel-meets-synth disco daydream “Dance With You.” He has spent just over 10 years gathering 23 Number Ones, 16 billion streams and armfuls of awards-eight ACM Awards including 2020 “Entertainer of the Year,” two CMA Awards, five GRAMMY Awards nominations, plus trophies from the CMT Music Awards, Billboard Awards and iHeartRadio Awards, in addition to being recognized with five CMA Triple Play awards for penning three No. One songs within a 12-month period, he’s never remained static. With both songwriting prowess and charisma, his career has been fueled by equal parts energy and emotion, to continually keep fans on their toes. His tequila brand, Dos Primos, now offers Blanco, Reposado, and A-ejo variants.
“Better In Boots Tour” Dates: * The Castellows ^ Dasha 6/5 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP * 6/6 – Southaven, MS – Bank Plus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove * 6/7 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre * 6/12 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC * 6/13 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake 6/14 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center * 6/26 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium * 6/27 – Birmingham, AL – Venue TBA * 6/28 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater * 7/10 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center ^ 7/11 – Philadelphia, PA – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion ^ 7/12 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater ^ 7/17 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage * 7/31 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park ^ 8/1 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion ^ 8/2 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre ^ 8/7 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater ^ 8/8 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ^ 8/9 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre ^ 8/15 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center * 8/21 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview * 8/22 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live * 8/23 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach * 9/4 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre * 9/5 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre * 9/6 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena * 9/18 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena * 9/19 – Boise, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater * 9/20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre * 9/26 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater *
One month from today sunking will release their simultaneously pro and anti- technology sophomore album ‘I DON’T LIKE MY TELEPHONE’, also their second release with ANTI- Records. Out today is the final pre-release track, “CIRCUIT CITY”, which forays into vintage Carl Craig-style Detroit techno yet also feels in conversation with contemporary artists Overmono and Folamour. The trio’s unique harmonics and strong sense of melody—nostalgic but hopeful at the same time—come together for something that sounds like Boards Of Canada or Plaid, if they were powered by an extremely good drummer. Listen below.
Bobby Granfelt and Antoine Martel have been playing in bands together since they were 15, but it’s only recently that they’ve really found their groove. Part of Seattle jazz fusion group High Pulp for the better part of a decade, the duo originally branched off into sunking to explore their other loves. From hip-hop to electronic music to indie rock, sunking was their time off to play whatever they wanted and so records like 2022’s Smug shot off excitedly in all directions.
Now a trio with High Pulp member Victory Nguyen joining the band when playing live on modular synth, saxophone and flute, their new album is different. The product of a real plan, instead of just recording on off days, ‘I DON’T LIKE MY TELEPHONE’ is tight, laser focused, and more representative of who they are as musicians. The result is a record as vibrant as a kaleidoscope, and compact as one too, shuffling through more styles and ideas in neat, three-minute chunks of virtuosity. It’s a new sparkle and sheen that combines the duo’s serious musical chops with rich production values and enriches dance music foundations with cheeky solos and musical tangents.
sunking approached ‘I DON’T LIKE MY TELEPHONE’ as a series of self-contained “micro-compositions,” inspired by hip-hop beat tapes from acts like Madlib, and built around Granfelt’s drum loops and Martel’s new gear. In addition to all those new synths, they were fueled by an increasing love for electronic music artists like Galcher Lustwerk, The Field, and Susumu Yokota, whose 1994 cult classic ‘Acid Mt. Fuji’ they cite as a particular inspiration.
Staying busy this summer, Granfelt has also recently introduced an animated YouTube show called Bobby’s Rhythm Corner, which features loose and fun short videos on the basics of learning to play an instrument. “This Seattle-launched duo deservedly invites listeners to take a closer look,” said a recent JAZZIZ print feature on the trio. “The drummer cut his teeth on rock music; the keyboardist was classically trained. sunking, as well as their seven-piece band High Pulp, create all-encompassing fusions with roots in both worlds.”
